CAPITAL GASPS: Delhi chokes on ‘very poor’ air for 4th day

The national capital choked on toxic air as its air quality remained ‘very poor’ for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an AQI of 350 a day after the scales tipped to the worst AQI for the month at 361.

As many as eight areas in Delhi showed severe pollution levels with authorities warning further deterioration as Diwali approaching, localised emissions during festive season, and stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

According to the data collated by the CPCB, Ghaziabad (404) recorded a severe pollution level, while Gurugram (399), Faridabad (376), Noida (385) and Greater Noida (391) all battled a ‘very poor’ air quality on Saturday. In Delhi, the eight areas that recorded ‘severe’ air quality on Saturday are Anand Vihar (430), Dwarka Sector 8 (430), Narela (413), Punjabi Bagh (406), Bawana (410), Mundka (445), Vivek Vihar (410), and Rohini (431).

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

Meanwhile, the pollution body recorded the PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) at 179.